Lesson 45: Never Has Man Believed in Me As Thou Hast

Purpose:

To help class members understand from the example of the brother of Jared how faith can enable us to enter the presence of the Lord eternally.

Reading:

• Ether 1-6

Additional reading: 

• The Brother of Jared: An Expert at Learning - Elder Henry B. Eyring
• "Always Have His Spirit" - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Questions to Ponder:

1. The Lord grants the requests of the brother of Jared.

• When the people were scattered and their language was confounded, Jared asked his brother to go to the Lord. What kind of person was the brother of Jared? (See Ether 1:34.)
   
• In response to requests from Jared, the brother of Jared "did cry unto the Lord" (Ether 1:34–39). What is the difference between "crying unto the Lord" and merely saying prayers? What can we do to make our prayers more effective? (See Alma 34:17–28.)
   
• Each time the brother of Jared prayed, the Lord "had compassion" on him and his people (Ether 1:35, 37, 40). How have you felt the Lord's compassion in response to your prayers?
   
• What preparations did the Lord instruct the people to make? (See Ether 1:41–42.) What was the reason the Lord promised to guide the Jaredites to a promised land? (See Ether 1:43) What can we learn from this example about the power of prayer?

2. The Jaredites begin their journey to the promised land.

• The Lord promised to lead the Jaredites to "the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands" (Ether 2:7). For whom had the Lord preserved that choice land? (See Ether 2:7.) What warning did the Lord give the brother of Jared regarding the promised land? (See Ether 2:8.)
   
• What did Moroni say about the decrees of God pertaining to the land of promise? (See Ether 2:9–12)
   
• When they arrived at the seashore, the Jaredites pitched their tents and stayed there for four years (Ether 2:13). At the end of the four years, the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared. Why did the Lord chasten him? (See Ether 2:14.) Why might we sometimes neglect to call upon the Lord?
   
• The brother of Jared repented and began building barges to cross the sea (Ether 2:15–17). What problems did the brother of Jared encounter after the barges were built? (See Ether 2:19.) What did the Lord instruct the brother of Jared to do to have air to breathe in the barges? (See Ether 2:20.)
   
• What was the Lord's response when the brother of Jared asked how to light the barges? (See Ether 2:23–25.) What can we learn from the Lord's response? (See the quotation below.) Why is it important to do all we can in addition to asking the Lord for help?Elder Russell M. Nelson said that he has often heard President Gordon B. Hinckley say, "I don't know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 16).
• How do you think the challenge to light the barges helped the brother of Jared grow? How can challenges in our lives help us?

3. The brother of Jared sees Jesus Christ.

• How did the brother of Jared propose to solve the problem of lighting the barges? (See Ether 3:1–5.) How did this show his humility and faith?
   
• When the brother of Jared had finished speaking, the Lord touched the stones one by one with His finger (Ether 3:6). Why was the brother of Jared so frightened when he saw the finger of the Lord? (See Ether 3:6–8) What did the Lord say about the faith of the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:9.)
   
• What question did the Lord ask before showing Himself to the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:11.) How did the brother of Jared's response demonstrate the depth of his faith? (See Ether 3:12) What can we do to follow his example?
   
• How did the Lord describe Himself to the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:13–14) What was necessary for the brother of Jared to be in the Lord's presence? What is necessary for us to be in the Lord's presence eternally?
   
• What did the Lord show the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:15–18, 25–26) What did the Lord instruct the brother of Jared to do after he had seen these things? (See Ether 3:21–24, 27–28; 4:1)

4. Moroni seals up the writings of the brother of Jared.

• How did Moroni describe the vision of the brother of Jared? (See Ether 4:4.) What did the Lord command Moroni to do with the brother of Jared's record and the interpreters? (See Ether 4:3, 5.) When will we be able to receive these records? (See Ether 4:6–7)
   
• What did the Lord teach about those who deny His words at the last day? (See Ether 4:8, 10, 12.) What blessings will come to those who believe the Lord's words? (See Ether 4:11.) In what ways does the Holy Ghost help you know that the Lord's words are true?
   
• The Lord exhorted the Gentiles and the house of Israel to come unto Him and receive great blessings and knowledge (Ether 4:13–14). What did He say we must do to come unto Him? (See Ether 4:15, 18.) What blessings did He promise to those who do these things? (See Ether 4:15–19.)

5. The Jaredites travel to the promised land.

• The Lord caused the stones in the barges "to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children" (Ether 6:3). What "lights" has the Lord provided for us as we journey through life?
   
• What did the Jaredites do after they had prepared all they could for their journey? (See Ether 6:4) How can we show this same kind of trust in the Lord?
   
• As the winds blew and the Jaredites were driven forth, what did the Jaredites do throughout the day and night? (See Ether 6:8–9.) What are some ways we can give praise to the Lord?
   
• What did the Jaredites do when they had arrived in the promised land? (See Ether 6:12.) In what ways might this be similar to our return to our Father in Heaven?